America's Second Harvest Network Responds to Katrina

DISASTER NEWS RELEASE                             

National Office
35 East Wacker Drive – Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Contact:
PHIL ZEPEDA
Office: 312-263-2303 (184)
Cell: 312-622-2640

AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST NETWORK RESPONDS TO KATRINA

Local food banks nationwide join in to help national call for resources; 100% of Katrina donations will support food bank disaster relief and response

Special note to assignment desk editors: Leading food bank executives from Gulf Coast states are available for phone interviews to discuss their involvement in the relief effort.  Please contact Phil Zepeda at 312-622-2640.

CHICAGO, August 30, 2005 – The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has devastated communities throughout four states, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded in temporary shelters and with family and friends.  While the damage continues to be assessed, America's Second Harvest Network Members throughout the country are mobilizing to help those affected by the killer hurricane.

With more than 200 food banks and food-rescue organizations in its membership, the America's Second Harvest Network has launched a fund and food-raising campaign to assist other Network food banks and disaster response agencies in their relief efforts.  Member food banks from nearby states are identifying food and grocery products in their current inventory that are available to help with the response effort without hampering their local hunger-relief programs.

"We've seen tremendous support from America's Second Harvest Network food banks," said Robert Forney, President and CEO of America's Second Harvest – The Nation's Food Bank Network.  "Response from our individual and corporate donors also has been overwhelming as well and we hope that this generosity will continue after flood waters recede.  Food banks hit by the hurricane will be involved with the relief effort for months to come."

At least ten America's Second Harvest food banks (most with significantly large service areas) have been directly impacted by Katrina which made its first strike in southern Florida nearly one week ago.  Those impacted food banks are:

• Alabama – United Way Community Food Bank, Inc. in Birmingham; the Food Bank of North Alabama in Huntsville; the Montgomery Area Food Bank, Inc.; and the Bay Area Food Bank in Theodore
 
AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST

• Florida – Daily Bread Food Bank in Miami and America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Inc. in Tallahassee
• Louisiana - Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana; Food Bank of Central Louisiana in Alexandria; and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
• Mississippi – Mississippi Food Network in Jackson

America's Second Harvest needs financial donations to maintain a strong disaster response program.  All disaster-relief proceeds (100 percent) will go directly to the America's Second Harvest Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.  To make a financial donation which will directly assist America's Second Harvest Members in affected areas, visit www.secondharvest.org or call 800-344-8070.    To make a financial donation directly to your local America's Second Harvest Network Member, visit www.secondharvest.org and enter your ZIP code on the right side of the web page.

America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network is the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization with a Network of more than 200 regional member food banks and food - rescue programs serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.  The America's Second Harvest Network